Robert "Crash" Craddock slams Australia's players and administrators following the sacking of Mickey Arthur.

UPDATE: DARREN Lehmann has been confirmed as Australia's new cricket coach while CEO James Sutherland explained why Mickey Arthur was sacked.

Arthur was dumped after a meeting with chief executive James Sutherland and high performance manager Pat Howard in Bristol last night, where Australia A beat Gloucester.

Lehmann is currently in England coaching Australia A and is the current Queensland coach. He confirmed tonight at a Cricket Australia press conference in Bristol he has signed a two-year deal, starting immediately.

The first Ashes Test is just 16 days away.

CA CEO James Sutherland said despite the unfortunate timing, it was a decision deemed necessary with such a big series fast approaching.

Lehmann coach

"The timing is far from ideal but we didn't feel we could sit back and hope matters would change without addressing issues critical to a high performing team culture,'' Sutherland said of Arthur's sacking.

"It obviously isn't the type of change we want to make (16 days) out from the Ashes commencing but we believe a change is needed.

Arthur was appointed in November 2011 and since that time Australia has struggled with inconsistent performances and numerous off-field issues. Australia has won 10 of 19 Tests, 18 of 39 ODIs and 7 of 16 T20s with Arthur at the helm.

Sutherland said those failures were at the heart of the decision.

Michael Clarke has stepped down as a selector, while Mickey Arthur has been sacked as coach on a dramatic day in Australian cricket.

"This has been a difficult decision to make but one that we feel is necessary,'' he said.

"We are looking to establish a high performing Australian cricket team that is consistent over a period of time. To achieve that, we need all the parts moving in the right direction. Recent on-field results have been too inconsistent.

"Discipline, consistency of behaviour and accountability for performance are all key ingredients that need to improve. And we see that the head coach is ultimately responsible for that.''

Captain Michael Clarke, who has resigned as a selector, said at the press conference tonight he was shocked upon hearing Arthur had been cut but said his thoughts then quickly moved to maintaining focus on the team's performance.

"This is a decision made by Cricket Australia, it had nothing to do with the players or nothing to do with me personally.

He said there was no excuse for poor behaviour in the the team despite the recent loss of senior players Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey.

Lehmann said he was excited to be taking over and that there wouldn't be any ongoing problems with the squad "off the field or on the field".

"It's important to talk about the game - whether that's with a beer or a Diet Coke - I don't mind, " he said.

Queensland Bulls coach Darren Lehmann will take over the reins of the Australian team. Picture: Glenn Barnes

As part of a review of Australian cricket two years ago, the coach and captain were granted selection powers.But Clarke has repeatedly come under pressure to step aside from the role.

News Limited has written on several occasions that Clarke's selection role was causing to much angst. One one hand he had to be a confidant to his players yet on another he had to sit in judgement on them at the selection table.

And Clarke's relationship with some of his senior players - particularly his deputy Shane Watson - has been rocky for some time.

During the past month or so David Warner set what must be a record after he was twice charged with bringing the game into disrepute. He pleaded guilty to both charges.

The first charge was for an expletive-laden twitter rant against two cricket writers during the IPL and the second was for punching England’s Joe Root in a Birmingham bar at 2.30am, after Australia had lost its Champions Trophy match to England.

Warner was fined $5750 for the first offence and was suspended for a month and fined $11,500 for hitting Root.

Sutherland was furious over Warner’s attack on Root and equally angry that five other Australian players were out late drinking with the old enemy after losing to the team it needs to beat to regain the Ashes.

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Comments on this story

BOOF BARRACKA of The Backbar Posted at 2:00 PM June 24, 2013

BOOF BOOF BOOF YAH!

Jeremy of Brisbane Posted at 1:51 PM June 24, 2013

Bring in Alan Border and Steve Waugh to run the show. These spoilt Gen Y wannabees have won nothing and continue to be paid millionaire wages. What a Joke. Real leadership is needed from the top down.

peter piper of Surfers Paradise Posted at 1:43 PM June 24, 2013

hat a feeble bunch of egotistics these w...kers are. I have followed Cricket for years and have paid inflated prices to these boofheads, to help pay for their inflated salaries. What do we get ..a few boozers, a bunch of slangers poor losers, even worse moaners about decisions. SO for me goodbye losers, I've watched my last game, as you are SO NOT WORTH IT !!!!

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